Reamer for deep wells.



, No."735,77(1. 4 PATBNTED AUG. 11, 1903.

% P'. HIGGINS.

REAMER FOR DEEP WELLS.

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP BO. 18, 1902.

10 MODEL. x 2 sums-sum 1 lln 6 6 PatentedAu'gust 11, 1903.

PATENT OFF CE.

PATTILLO HIGGINS, OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS.

-REAMER FOR DEEP WELLS.

SPECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 735,770, dated August11, 1903. Application filed December 18,1902. Serial No. 135,817. (1T0model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATTILLo HIGGINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Beaumont, in the county of Jefferson and State of Texas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inReamers for Deep-Wells, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides a reamer for enlarging the bore of wells byprogressive action at one and the same operation, the reamer embodying aseries of cutting-shoulders arranged inprogressive order and increasingin diameter from point to head, the cutting-shoulders being bits ofannular formation and strung upon the stem of the reamer-head andreversible to admit of new edges being brought into working positionwhen the exposed cutting edges have become dulled.

The invention consists of novel structural details and combinations ofparts, which hereinafter will be more fully described, illustrated, andfinallyfclaimed.

In the drawings hereto attached and forming a part of the specification,Figure l is a side view of a reamer embodying the invention, the upperportion being broken away to show the solid formation of the head. Fig.

2 is a vertical central section of a modification showing the headprovided with a longitudinal opening and downwardly-inclined lateralducts. Fig. 3

wardly tapered and terminates in a shank 2 for coupling thereto of thedrill-rod by means.

of which the reamer is operated. The stem 3 is pendent from the bodyportion 1 of the reamer and is in coaxial alinement therewith and is ofa length depending upon the number of bits or cutters to be strungthereon.

- The lower end of the stem is threaded to reis a perspective viewshowmg the parts separated. Fig. 4 is a view,

' ceive the point 4, the latter servingto confine the bits or cutters 5between itself and the shoulder 6, formed at the root of the stem 3. Thepoint 4 is provided with an opening 7 to receive a rod or likeinstrument to admit of screwing the same either upon or off from thestem 3, as may be required. The point 4 may be of any length and ispreferably tapered, so as to readily enter the bore or opening to beenlarged.

The bits or cutters 5 are of annular formation, approximating the formof washers, the opening being of a diameter corresponding to thediameter of the stem 3 to admit of the cutters snugly fitting the stemwhen strung thereon. The annular bits or cutters increase in diameterfrom the point 4 toward the body 1 and operate progressively inenlarging the bore or opening, thereby admitting of the work beingrapidly performed. When the lowermost edge of the bits or cutters become dulled, the said cutters may be reversed, thereby bringing newcutting edges into working position, the change being effected byremovalof the point 4 and slipping the cutters from the stem 3 andreplacing said cutters upon the stem in reverse position.

In practice the reamer is designed to be coupled to the drill-rod in anysubstantial way and has a vertical reciprocating movement impartedthereto from the surface by any type of mechanism commonly employed inthe operation of boring Artesian and oil wells. The progressivearrangement of the cutters enable each to perform a proportionate amountof work in the enlargement of the bore or opening. Hence the operationis rapid and the sides of the bore or opening smooth and clean, sincethe cutters operate in clay -and like soft formation by pushing the sameahead and in stony and likeha rd formation by pounding and breaking sameaway, the resultant out in either case being clean and well defined.

The body of the reamer maybe solid, as indicated in Fig. 1, or providedwithalongitudinal opening 8 and lateral ducts 9, as shown in Figs. 2 and4, and said lateral ducts The latter form of reamer admits of thedrill-.

ings or cuttings being carried off by water as the work progresses.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is l. Areamer of the character described comprising a series of annular cuttingedges separable from one another and having a progressive arrangementfrom the point to the body, substantially as set forth.

2. A reamer of the character described comprising a series of annularbits or cutters separable from each other and having a progressivearrangement from the point toward the body, substantially as set forth.

3. A reamer of the character described comprising a series of bits ofapproximately annular formation and having a progressive arrangement andadapted to be reversed to admit of new cutting edges being brought intoworking position, substantially as described.

4. A reamer for the purpose specified, comprising a body having a stem,a series of bits strung upon said stem and havingaprogressivearrangement, and a point fitted to the extremity of the stem and servingto confine said bits, substantially as specified.

5. A reamer comprising a body having a stem, said body having alongitudinal opening and lateral duets, a series of annular bits strungupon said stem and having a progressive arrangement, and a point fittedto the extremity of the stem for confining the bits, substantially asset forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two'witnesses.

PATTILLO HIGGINS. [L. s.]

\Vitnesses:

GENEVIEVE MATTHEWS, GEORGE G. WATT.

